Miley Cyrus is returning to *that* blonde wig in just a few short days with the arrival of Disney's Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special.
The 33-year-old will return to playing Miley Stewart aka Hannah Montana in a new special airing on Disney+ on March 24, to mark 20 years since the show's premiere on the Disney Channel.
© Getty ImagesAhead of its arrival, Miley spoke with Variety about all things to expect from the "Nobody's Perfect" hitmaker 20 years on, and how she got the ball rolling on it in the first place.
Hannah thanks to Dolly
She explained to the publication that she started teasing something "special" for the special last year, but there never was anything in the cards at that point. Some might call it "lying," but she says she was actually willing it into existence, thanks to none other than her godmother Dolly Parton.
"I learned this terrible habit — but I actually think it was good advice — from Dolly," she recalled. "She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists."
"Then no one can say no," she quipped. "So I just started promoting a Hannah Montana 20th-anniversary special that literally did not exist," although sure enough, it did work! "I think even Disney sometimes forgets the connection between me and Hannah."
The hype of Hannah Montana
"It's not just a TV show. I see daily how important Hannah is to people. When I travel, people bring me Hannah merch. They ask, 'Are you ever going to do another season?'"
© Getty ImagesCharlie Andrews, an executive at the House of Mouse, also told the publication that Miley made it happen by sharing just how much hype there was around it from the fans themselves, many of whom have been begging for a reunion or a tribute for years. "She willed it into existence," he noted.
"The thing she was adamant about is that this is for the fans. That has gone into literally every decision she has made," he continued, revealing that plans for the special first came through in December, and was finally put into full production by January.
© Disney General Entertainment ConWhat to expect from the special?
As for what we can expect from the special, the "Malibu" singer already promises that we'll be "gagged," adding: "I didn't want to do this modern approach to Hannah. I wanted to keep it preserved. But also, now Hannah wears Gucci. She's elevated. She's gotta look a little less Galleria."
She also opened up about the pressures of finding success as a teen, and her conscious decision then to move away from Hannah and the Disney machine to find her own identity as a person and an artist. "Being recognizable as a teen going through different phases and stages was sometimes awkward, but that's what helped me relate to the kids watching at home."
© Getty Images"I boldly and unapologetically presented myself to the world at that time, where I could have gone the other way and played it safe," she continued. "Maybe that would have been successful at the time, and it wouldn't have been such a cross to bear, but I wouldn't have had the reward. I don't know if I would have had the sustainability that my career has now."
